The Office of Disaster and Emergency Services is hereby created and shall be managed by a Director who shall be appointed in the manner set forth in § 35-5. The Office of Disaster and Emergency Services will coordinate activities pertaining to natural, man-made, and war-caused disasters and will be the instrument through which the Mayor may exercise the authority and discharge the responsibilities vested in him/her in this Emergency Management Service Code and other applicable laws of the state and the City and this chapter.
A.
The Mayor is authorized to declare a local disaster upon finding
a disaster has occurred or is imminent, subject to ratification by
resolution of the City Council. In such event, the City Council shall
convene and act upon the declaration as soon as the exigencies of
the circumstances allow. The City Council, by concurrent resolution,
may terminate a local disaster emergency at any time. The declaration
shall not be continued or renewed for a period in excess of seven
days except by or with the consent of City Council. Any order or proclamation
declaring, continuing, or terminating a local disaster emergency shall
be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly
with the Augusta Emergency Management Agency. The effect of a declaration
of a local disaster emergency is to activate the response and recovery
aspects of the City's emergency management plan and to authorize
the furnishing of aid and assistance thereunder.
B.
If the Mayor is physically unable to serve during an emergency, the
senior member of the City Council will assume the Mayor's duties
and responsibilities.
C.
During any declared local disaster emergency the City Manager:
(1)
Shall have the full authority and power to act on behalf of the City
and exercise the powers conferred upon the City under the applicable
provisions of the Emergency Management Services Code of the State
of Maine;
(2)
May control ingress to and egress from a disaster area, the movement
of persons within the area, and the occupancy of premises therein;
(3)
May suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of alcoholic
beverages, firearms, ammunition, and explosives;
(4)
May require the emergency services of a City officer or employee;
and/or
(5)
May suspend the routine hours of operation of the City government.
The Emergency Management Director shall be an employee of the
City of Augusta who is appointed by the City Manager. The Director
shall report directly to the City Manager and shall be responsible
for the planning, administration, and coordination of the local organization,
subject to the direction and control of the City Manager.
